I’d say Bonds because of the low ABs. I don’t think one can hit their way to .400. The formula has to be massaged by walking as much as possible.

Also, I don’t think the media would stop Ichiro. He has been a household name wherever he’s played and is used to headlines and large press conferences regarding insignificant games. Check him out by the cage during BP.

Just out of curiousity, How many times has it happened in baseball history? Also, why has it been harder to do it recently? I'm fairly young but all of the talk that I hear seems to say that the pitching is weaker now than it has been in the past because of expansion and the smaller ballparks? Do you guys think this is true?

Music2004Man wrote:Just out of curiousity, How many times has it happened in baseball history? Also, why has it been harder to do it recently? I'm fairly young but all of the talk that I hear seems to say that the pitching is weaker now than it has been in the past because of expansion and the smaller ballparks? Do you guys think this is true?

Its happened 28 times in history, and 26 of those were pre-1925, 15 were in the 19th Century. There are tons of reasons and theories as to why the .400 hitter is becoming exctint. The most obvious ones to me are the longer schedules and the improved defensive range.

The more games you play the harder it is to sustain a level of play that far outside the standard. In the 1800s, when a majority of the .400 seasons happened, seasons were around 130 or fewer games. Since the movement to the 162 games season in 1958 there have been a total of 2 players who have come within .020 of hitting .400 in a full season.

Bigger gloves have improved defensive range which cuts down on the number of hits.

Gwynn was the best contact hitter of his generation, so it ought to be possible for the best hitter of a future generation to make a similar run at it. I'd imagine a truly great hitter, in a hitter's park might have a shot.

One wonders what the reaction would be if a guy was hitting over .400 and was shut down with a few weeks or so left.

The nine men below had a .400 batting average the morning of June 10th of their season. They are the only batting title qualifiers to do that since 1940. Four of the men: Walker, Aaron, Carty, and Carew (in 1975), won the batting title in that season.

Pujols strikes out too much to get to .400. If he can put more balls in play and limit his striking out to around 20-30, he may have an outside chance.

.400 hitters strike out very little and I think that's the main difference...even if it's just routine grounders, a few of those may find the hole. Lets say instead of 70 times, Pujols K's 20 times. A .200 out of those 50 balls put in play would raise his average 15 points.

The same applies for Ichiro: he would have a chance if he could not strikeout as often...especially given his speed.

Gwynn had the best chance of anyone in recent memory: it's too bad '94 was a strike year.

The nine men below had a .400 batting average the morning of June 10th of their season. They are the only batting title qualifiers to do that since 1940. Four of the men: Walker, Aaron, Carty, and Carew (in 1975), won the batting title in that season.

BritSox wrote:One wonders what the reaction would be if a guy was hitting over .400 and was shut down with a few weeks or so left.

I wouldn't respect the guy, .400 or not. We don't need cowards in bb. Ted Williams was at .399 with a doubleheader left in 41. I believe he got a hit in his 1st to abs, putting him over .400. They wanted to take him out for the year, but he said no way. I'm not backing into it. Ted had a huge double header and finished at .406. I respect the decision to play, and not back into it, way more then the actual .400

I really think the media would kill any chance for .400 now. The prssure would be enormous, even for a cool guy like Ichiro. They would have daily ab updates on ESPN, and tons of reporters hounding him every game. The pressure imo would be staggering. Ted in 41 had nothing like todays media world.

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BritSox wrote:One wonders what the reaction would be if a guy was hitting over .400 and was shut down with a few weeks or so left.

I wouldn't respect the guy, .400 or not. We don't need cowards in bb. Ted Williams was at .399 with a doubleheader left in 41. I believe he got a hit in his 1st to abs, putting him over .400. They wanted to take him out for the year, but he said no way. I'm not backing into it. Ted had a huge double header and finished at .406. I respect the decision to play, and not back into it, way more then the actual .400

I really think the media would kill any chance for .400 now. The prssure would be enormous, even for a cool guy like Ichiro. They would have daily ab updates on ESPN, and tons of reporters hounding him every game. The pressure imo would be staggering. Ted in 41 had nothing like todays media world.